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Cats Protection are asking cat loving knitters to help unwanted cats this Christmas by making cosy blankets and fun mouse toys.

They’ll be launching this Christmas appeal at the Knitting and Stitching Show at the Harrogate International Centre from 23-26 November.

You can bring along donations of knitted blankets or mice to the charity’s stand at the event. Or, you can drop your knitted contributions off at any of Cat Protection’s branches, shops or adoption centres in the UK. All your knitted blankets and toys will help make the cats’ Christmas extra comfortable and fun.

The charity’s Events Manager Emma Osborne said: “We’re often asked by cat lovers for ideas about how they can help support our work, and our knitting bee is a great way to get involved. All the knitted mice and blankets we receive are given to cats and kittens in our care, and make their time with us that extra bit more comfortable.

“Our volunteers and staff work hard throughout the year to give every cat or kitten the love and attention they deserve, and Christmas is no exception. We hope cat lovers and keen knitters alike will support our festive knitting bee so we can ensure as many cats as possible in our care have a special Christmas gift this year.”

Knitters, you can use your own patterns to make blankets and mice or follow a pattern for the popular Captain Cat-Battler knitted mouse, originally designed by Lauren O’Farrell. You can pick these up from the show, or call the charity’s Helpline on 03000 12 12 12.

If you’re at the show, take a look at the charity’s stand which will have lots of gift ideas for the cat lovers in your life! It’s also a chance to find out about volunteering.

Knitting for cats – some tips

Avoid using stretchy yarns or small plastic items e.g. those which can be used for a mouse’s eyes to reduce the risk of injury to cats and kittens

Avoid loose weave blanket patterns involving the use of large needles

Don’t leave cats unattended with knitted toys

Don’t leave blankets with cats who might have wool chewing habits!

Cats Protection help around 190,000 cats every year through their 250 volunteer-led branches, and 34 centres. I’ve volunteered for them at a centre in Sussex, and I absolutely loved it. Yes, there were times when I came home shedding tears for these beautiful cats wishing I could take them all home with me, but I used to give myself a stern talking to, saying that the cats didn’t need my tears; they needed my practical help. And it was a great way to make cat loving friends, too! Find out about volunteering here.

It's an amazing feeling to help animals on the other side of the world from your armchair and technology at home.

And here’s a great example for anyone who loves horses as to a way you can do just that.

SPANA is an international charity doing some amazing things for working animals (horses, donkeys, mules, camels and elephants) around the world.

I've seen them at work in Morocco. In fact, SPANA have just won an award for this work from the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism for their work in protecting and improving the condition of caleche horses in Morocco.

A great thing about SPANA's work is that they treat - AND they train - AND they teach - a powerful combination.

And SPANA have a number of outreach projects, such as the one in Mongolia (plus many other countries as well). Here herders used to rely on the ancient wells to give life-giving water for their animals – horses, yaks, camels, sheep and goats. They've just sent me details of their need for our help to prevent more suffering.

Many wells in Mongolia have become damaged and they cannot be used. Plus natural disasters such as dzuds (a drought summer followed by an extremely harsh winter when temperatures drop to below -50 degrees C and climate change which is causing far less rain to fall means that other natural sources of water are drying up.

Horses who are already exhausted are having to travel further each day just to be able to drink and survive. Sometimes, they have to travel 40 miles.

Herders have to keep moving to find water. Horses struggle to carry loads over rough, dangerous ground. Many are severely dehydrated and prone to injuries such as gashed legs and scraped knees when they stumble and fall.

So how can you and I help these horses?

SPANA has been working with a trusted partner, CAMDA, for years. CAMDA have worked with herding communities for years so they are respected and trusted.

CAMDA have built wells where there are no rivers, lakes or water sources, so the animals don’t have to travel so far to get water. Wells are sustainably dug to a depth of 5 to 10 metres, so they won’t freeze over or dry up.

One well can save hundreds of animals from pain and hardship.

Ten wells can help close to 14,400 animals - horses, yaks, sheep, camels - and people who depend on them for their livelihoods.

£20 could go towards the labour cost of building a new pit well in Mongolia.

£80 could go to essential materials such as cement and timber to build a new pit well.

£100 could go to other vital projects SPANA is involved with to help more working animals.